Muschamp's coaching tree has its roots firmly planted in the NFL

Wednesday

Jan 26, 2011 at 2:48 PM

Will Muschamp did his research and hired a coaching staff that has a definite theme to it — the NFL.

By Robbie AndreuStaff writer

One of new Florida football coach Will Muschamp's first priorities once he arrived in Gainesville was to put together a coaching staff. He did his research and hired a staff that has a definite theme to it. The NFL. Muschamp's coaching staff has 40 years of NFL experience and four Super Bowl rings — with both offensive and defensive coordinators coming from the league.

But this also is a diverse group that includes a former standout Florida wide receiver and three holdovers from Urban Meyer's staff. Here's a look at Muschamp's staff:

Stan DraytonResponsibility: Running backs/recruiting coordinatorAge: 39Previous job: Running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at UF under Urban Meyer.Highlights: Drayton has 14 years experience coaching running backs at the collegiate level. ... In the second year of his second coaching stint at UF. He was Meyer's running backs coach in 2005-07. ... In between, he coached the running backs at Tennessee and Syracuse.

D.J. DurkinResponsibility: Linebackers/special teamsAge: 33Previous job: Linebackers and special teams coach at UF under Urban Meyer.Highlights: Before coming to UF, Durkin coached the defensive ends and coordinated special teams at Stanford. ... In 2007 and 2009, Durkin's Cardinal DEs ranked ninth nationally in sacks. ... Durkin began his coaching career at Bowling Green (2001-02) under Meyer.

Aubrey HillResponsibility: Wide receiversAge: 38Previous job: Wide receivers coach at Miami the past three seasons.Highlights: Hill was a four-year letter winner at UF who excelled in Steve Spurrier's passing offense. ... Began his coaching career at UF as a graduate assistant under Spurrier in 1996-98. ... One of his UM receivers this past season, Leonard Hankerson, had one of the most productive years by a UM receiver in school history, catching 13 touchdown passes and piling up 1,156 yards receiving.

Travaris RobinsonResponsibility: SecondaryAge: 29Previous job: Secondary coach at Texas Tech this past season.Highlights: Robinson is a Miami native who was a standout defensive back at Auburn. ... He played two years in the NFL with the Falcons and Bucs. ... He started his coaching career at Auburn, where he worked under defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

Dan QuinnResponsibility: Defensive coordinator/defensive lineAge: 40Previous job: Defensive line coach for the Seattle Seahawks the past two seasons.Highlights: He brings 17 years of coaching experience to UF, the past 10 in the NFL. ... Quinn spent the past eight years as an NFL defensive line coach, the last two with the Seattle Seahawks. ... He coached with Muschamp when the two were on the same Miami Dolphins' staff in 2005-06.

Frank VerducciResponsibility: Offensive lineAge: 53Previous job: Offensive line coach at Notre Dame in 2009.Highlights: Verducci has 28 years of coaching experience at the college and NFL level. ... He spent more than 10 years coaching offensive lines in the NFL, with the Browns, Bill, Cowboys and Bengals. ... He coached the offensive line at Notre Dame in 2009, where he worked under head coach Charlie Weis, the new UF offensive coordinator.

Charlie WeisResponsibility: Offensive coordinator/quarterbacksAge: 54Previous job: Offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs this past season.Highlights: Weis has 32 years of coaching experience, including16 in the NFL, where he was an offensive coordinator with the New York Jets and New England Patriots. ... Has a reputation for developing quarterbacks, including NFL great Tom Brady. ... He was the head coach at Notre Dame in 2005-09.

Brian WhiteResponsibility: Tight ends/fullbacksAge: 46Previous job: Tight ends and fullbacks coach under Urban Meyer the past two seasons.Highlights: White has 24 years of college coaching experience at seven different schools and was the Division I assistant coach of the year in 2004 (Wisconsin). ... He was the offensive coordinator and running backs coach at Wisconsin from 1999 to 2006. ... He began his coaching career at Notre Dame as a graduate assistant in 1988.

Bryant YoungResponsibility: Defensive lineAge: 38Previous job: Defensive line coach at San Jose State this past season.Highlights: Young played 14 seasons in the NFL, all with the San Francisco 49ers, and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. ... Young was considered one of the best NFL defensive tackles of his era. ... He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Notre Dame, where he was a graduate assistant under Weis in 2009.